Sesame Street Season 42, Episode Recap: Week 5

Sesame Street Season 42 

Episode Recap: Week 5

Shane Keating – Happy New Year’s Eve, everybody! Here’s another overview of this week’s new Sesame Street episodes!

EPISODE 4275 – SUPER MARIA

123 Sesame Street is in desperate need of repairs and Gordon has a hard time keeping up with them. He refuses to get a superintendent, but eventually lets Maria help him fix things and hires her as the super.

This street story had a definite classic feel. The focus on the humans (Susan makes an appearance!) and the use of classic characters (Big Bird, The Count, Super Grover) made this one a winner. And I still have "Together We Can Get Things Done" in my head.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Oscar is somehow roped into a lecture on the word "stubborn" with Nicole Kidmen. Seriously, the non-Elmo Word of the Day segments are way funnier than the ones with Elmo and an animal or two.
• Film: Can you find the letter V? Here's a hint: It’s a tree!
• Abby's Flying Fairy School: Blögg's sludge balls fall into the school's water pool, so the students turn into fish and use their five senses to locate them. I can't believe they missed an opportunity to make a "herring" pun.
• "Change the World" re-aired. I enjoy it enough, but I'd much rather they re-used something that wasn’t already played this season.
• Cartoon: Toolbox Tedd repairs a robot.

EPISODE 4276 – THE FLOOD

Ernie and Bert stay with Gordon and Susan due a flood in the basement of 123. Meanwhile, Oscar bothers Maria and Luis while they try to fix the pipes.

What an age we live in; a street story without Elmo and instead Ernie and Bert, Oscar, Gordon, Susan, Maria and Luis. Now that’s a cast! It was a great street story that makes me wish Steve could be around for the show more often.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• John Krasinski and Murray show what "soggy" is.  Hooray for a punchline!
• Murray’s science experiments return. Today, he and the kids make a Rube Goldberg-esque contraption to get balls in a bucket.
• No other new segments. Boo.

EPISODE 4277 – FALLING LEAVES

In the garden, Stinky the Stinkweed is buried by the autumn leaves. Elmo, Rosita, Chris and Leela find out which tree they're falling from and how to protect him from them.

This was alright, not as good as the other ones this week though. Stinky was super funny despite that. I'm not gonna lie though, I didn't care for the "Deciduous" song.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Ken Jeong and Elmo explain what "deciduous" means. I'll admit, I never even heard of this word before. Good for Sesame Street for teaching me something to this day!
• Murray and the kids make twirlers that will be able to fly.
• Abby's Flying Fairy School: While learning about opposites, Blögg accidentally casts an opposite spell on himself, making him a dapper, proper and behaved troll-fairy. I’m pretty sure this is the last new one of this season. Hopefully, if the segment continues to next season, they make just as many (or more) new episodes.
• Super Grover 2.0: A squirrel's shelf topples over, so Super Grover helps find a way to attach it to the tree. As glad as I am to see a new one after a series of repeats, I miss Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures.
• Film: Kids in Africa recite a chant called "Shake Shake That Mango Tree." Reminded me of some mid-90's films they used to play.

I’ll see you in a few weeks with some of the last few episodes of the season. Happy New Year!







The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Sesame Street Season 42, Episode Recap: Week 4

Sesame Street Season 42

Episode Recap: Week 4

Shane Keating – Hey folks! There's been quite a lot of Sesame Street since last we saw each other. With all the Muppety-goodness surrounding the new movie, it's taken up all of our focus for the last few months, but I've still kept my eye on the new Sesame Street episodes. If you haven't seen them yet, here's what you've missed since late October:

EPISODE 4268 – ELMO AND THE BUTTERFLY

Elmo and Telly are reading through a book, full of fascinating bug facts. They find a lone butterfly fluttering around, so Elmo dresses like one to be its friend. After hanging out for the day, Elmo learns he must say goodbye when the butterfly's friends come to take him to warmer climates. A sweet story if anything. It's nice to know that in this age where the show is using more modern hip-hop and rap songs, they can still do a sweet, slow song like the one in this episode.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Michelle Monaghan and Abby explain the word "fascinating."
• In today's science experiment, Murray learns what devices can move a tin ball the farthest.
• Song: "F is for Father"; cute bit.
• "Elmo's Got the Moves" – A short song with Elmo, Abby, Big Bird and some celebrity cameos. I'll admit, I don't care for the auto-tuning (as the Muppeteers have actual, good singing voices), but for the hip-hop-style song it was, I think it fits the genre.

EPISODE 4269 – SIBLINGS

Baby Bear is having relationship issues with his sister Curly, who refuses to share his crayons, give back his seat, and play his games. Chris and Christy (his twin sister) help him understand that siblings are different and may not get along all the time, but still love each other. This was a fair street story. The songs in the flashbacks were fine; I don't think I’ve ever noticed how well Chris can sing before. And I dig his gold, Hammer pants!


New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Abby helps Jimmy Kimmel show what a sibling is. Watch for Jimmy in drag as his sis!
• Murray and Ovejita present the letter and number, as well as play "What's Missing" with a swing.
• Cartoon: A song about the number 20. It's cute and made by the same folks who made the Y song from earlier this season.
• CGI Animation: The Twiddlebugs find many uses for a paperclip. I wonder if they're going to make more segments with these guys.

EPISODE 4270 – LETTER “R” MYSTERY

Detective Alfie Bets, played by Adam Rodriguez, is vacationing on Sesame Street (as Hooper's has a high rating on "Travel-Travesty.com"), when everyone is missing stuff that begins with R. Leela's missing her roses and rake, Telly is missing his robot and remote and The Amazing Mumford is missing his rabbit Rodney. When his ravioli goes missing too, he gets back in action and, with Elmo and Abby's help, tries to track down the culprit. A good story with some nice CSI-stlye camera movements, which helped make a good gag during the stakeout scene. Plus, MUMFORD! And voiced by Jerry Nelson, no less! I like how the producers didn't put in an explanation for younger viewers as to who he is; they just treat him like he's always around.


New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Grover, Amer'e Stoudemire, and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks demonstrate the word "compare." Once again, the non-Elmo Word segments prove to be the funnier ones.
• Murray and Ovejita introduce everything again. Toward the end, they play a comparing game, with a rockin' intro song (with Ovejita wearing a stringy, blonde wig!)
• CGI Animation: Ziggy the Zebra-saurus breaks it down and raps about shapes. No, really.

EPISODE 4271 – CAST IRON COOKS

Alan, Chris, and Elmo suddenly become contestants on the hit-show "Cast Iron Cooks," hosted by the Super Chef (Jason Schwartzman), where they compete against his Cast Iron Cooks to become the best cook around. During the rounds, Alan's meals aren't met with critical acclaim, but wins the show when the Cast Iron Cooks make little mess ups. A pretty fine street story. I particularly liked Jason's over-the-top performances, such as the times where he'd pop up from nowhere.


New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Amy Adams and Elmo explain the word "ingredient." A nicely timed appearance I must say!
• More Murray/Ovejita tune-ins that don’t pertain to science.
• Sutton Foster sings to Elmo about her love of levers. A great Broadway-style number, with most the human cast included, including the seldom-seen Bob!

EPISODE 4272 – GETTING CENTERED

Telly catches the end of Leela's morning yoga class and is amazed at what he sees. With Elmo and Rosita's help, he tries to learn the "flamingo" pose, but can't keep his balance. Chris teaches him to find his balance point and Telly is finally able to do it! An alright street story, with plenty of nice Telly freak-outs and a great gag with Elmo at the end.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Emma Stone and Abby demonstrate the word "balance."
• In today's science experiment, Murray learns how to make a boat from tinfoil.
• Bruno Mars and the Muppets sing "Don't Give Up." The song follows on the heels of last year's hit "What I Am," making a song about encouragement and using a plain, white background. It's really cute, with adorable Muppet choreography.

EPISODE 4273 – A PRINCE OF A FROG

Alan, Abby, and Elmo find a princess chasing a frog, trying to kiss it and turn it into the price she's always dreamed of. They help attract the frog, by acting like one and having Alan pretend to be a fly. When she kisses him, he remains the same. Abby uses magic to change him into a prince. But, the frog prince doesn't think being that way is fun and asks to be turned back. The princess sees the beauty of a frog and becomes his friend. I couldn't help but think this episode was similar to the one from season 39 where Abby tried to make Oscar a prince. Still, it was pretty good. I particularly liked Stephanie D'Abruzzo's performance as the princess and the song near the end.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Conan O’Brien and Abby show what an amphibian is.
• Song: "Letter M Day" – a notebook style segment. I've really started to like the segments that use a lot of alliteration.
• "Spider-Monster the Musical": Grover (Frank Oz!) stars in a Spider-Man musical parody with Mr. Johnson as the unfortunate and only audience member. This is, hands-down, one of the funniest sketches they've done recently and one of their sharpest parodies ever. Kudos goes to Frank for all his great lines.

EPISODE 4274 – ELMOZILLA

Elmo is upset that all his friends are taller than him. With Abby's magical help, he grows taller... to the size of Hooper's Store. Despite this, Elmo is glad he's big and would rather stay that way. Chris, Telly, Baby Bear, and Abby try to convince him that being his regular size would be much better. Very cute story. Basically anytime Elmo emotes, a story has potential. There a number of funny lines from the side characters (Chris: "Abby, little girl, you gotta stop doin' these spells that are messin' with the laws of nature!")

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Drew Brees and Elmo demonstrate the word measure.
• Some more new Murray tune-ins.
• Cartoon: An animated segment by childrens' author Todd Parr about counting 10 doggy kisses.
• Basically, everything else was a re-run; Abby, Super Grover and they even re-ran "Measure, Yeah, Measure" (which I saw no reason for).

Hope that caught you all up! Tune in next time for when Stinky gets covered with leaves, 123 Sesame Street falls into disrepair, and Ernie and Bert get stuck in a flood!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Sesame Street Season 42, Episode Recap: Week 3

Sesame Street Season 42

Episode Recap: Week 3

by Shane Keating

EPISODE 4264 – GOODBYE PACIFIER

Baby Bear is having a hard time getting Curly Bear to give up her binky. Elmo tells the tale of how hard it was for him to give up his own pacifier.

I liked this one, especially because Elmo was actually useful and his attempts to lose his binky were extremely funny. However, I'm sure some people weren't so keen on the idea that Leela, Chris and Abby helped Elmo give up his binky, for continuity reasons.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Liev Schreiber, Naomi Watts, and Elmo show "exchange."
• Murray and Ovejita skip science today and instead present the letter and number of the day.
• Animation: The story of Wacky Wild Waldo. I'm glad they used a 4:3 segment, especially one that hasn't been since it's 2006 debut.
• Leslie Feist's "1234" spoof appears again.
• Reused Super Grover 2.0. When are we getting some Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures?
• Cartoon: A child gives up their pacifier. I'm enjoying seeing more "random" film and cartoon inserts this year.

EPISODE 4265 – THE GOOD BIRDS CLUB

Big Bird has gotten an invitation to join the Good Birds Club. The leader, a mean pigeon, makes fun of him and denies him access to the club. Big Bird uses Abby's magic to change himself to fit their standards, but Abby and Elmo think he's fine the way he is. By the end, Big Bird learns that he doesn't need to be in the club to be a good bird and starts a "Happy to Be Me" club with his friends.

I can't think of anything negative to say about this story. Everything was so great. The message, the characters, they all just gelled. I think this may be the best performance from Abby I've ever seen. This one should go down in the Sesame history books.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Mila Kunis talks about the word "include," while Elmo wants to join the dancing sheep.
• Cartoon: A creature learns how to deal with bullies. I like the style of this one.
• Murray and Ovejita present the letter I, the number 9 and play a game of "Murray's Cubbies." I like the yak puppet they had in the letter segment.
• Cartoon: A song about the letter Y. It's cute visually, but a bit frantic for my tastes.
• Abby's Flying Fairy School: The fairies learn how to make music form Morty the Musical Muse.
• Cartoon: A pigeon sings about count pigeons on a wire. It reminds me of those "Blowin' in the Wind" cartoon spoofs from the 90's.
• Finally, a "Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures" segment! It's a re-used one, but I'm glad they're using them still.
• Cartoon: Traction Jackson sings "Me and My Chair" (re-used bit from season 35).

EPISODE 4267 – THE BIG BAD WOLF HUFFS AND PUFFS SLIMEY

Tired of chasing the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf decides to huff and puff Slimey instead, making him land in Snuffy's lunch. Alan teaches him to talk with an adult when someone is bothering him and they all confront the Wolf about his huffing and puffing problem.

A second bullying episode this week and it's also really good. Tyler Bunch's thespian Wolf is great, though I wish they'd keep him with a consistent performer (Jerry Nelson did his voice in the season premiere).

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Mark Ruffalo and Murray demonstrate the word "empathy." I like it better when the these bits explain a word that wasn't already explained-to-death in the street story.
• Murray and Ovejita skip science again and present the letter and number, plus other things. The letter bits are kind of getting repetitive to me.
• Animation: The Plain White T's parody of "Hey There Delilah," "I'm the Letter T" re-airs.
• Elmo and the Harlem Globetrotters show the number 3.
• Re-used Bert and Ernie's Great Adventures where the duo travel to Scotland and meet the Loch Ness Monster.
• "Change the World," the sequel to the popular "I Love My Hair" song from last year. I love it and I can't wait to see what they do next with this character.

EPISODE 4268 – BABY BEAR'S DOLL

While playing with Telly, Baby Bear tries to hide the fact that the baby doll he has actually belongs to him.  When his secret slips, he runs off. Gordon explains to him that dolls aren't just for girls. Baby Bear returns to find Telly's enjoying playing with the doll himself.

Another good episode, as most Telly/Baby Bear episodes are. A lot of the dialogue felt ad-libbed at times to me, which only goes to prove how well these two play off each other. I'm glad we've gotten this break from science-related stories to lessons Sesame Street is best at teaching.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Seth Rogen and Elmo show the word "embarrassed." Very funny bit.
• More Murray/Ovejita intros. Murray's game if "What's Missing" features him nose-less!
• Cartoon: A kangaroo looks for his mother using the letter K. Another segment that hasn't been seen since it's 2006 debut, so I'm glad to see it again.
• Elvis Costello, Cookie Monster, and Elmo sing "(Monster Went and) Ate My Red Two," a spoof of his song "(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes." I dig it, but Elmo really seems to be just "there."
• One of the new Super Grover 2.0's from earlier this season gets repeated. I knew this would happen, folks!
• A new version of the classic "Somebody Come and Play." This time, it's done by the kid chorus of P.S. 22 while they play with big red balls. It feels more like a music video than the previous incarnations of the song, but I like it.

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com

Sesame Street Season 42, Episode Recap: Week 1

 Sesame Street Season 42

Episode Recap: Week 1

Shane Keating – Well, another year has passed, which means it’s time for the latest season of Sesame Street! 42 seasons, geesh, what a long time! This season is focusing on the workshop's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum. Most of the shows this week follow this idea. So, without further ado, let’s get this season a-rollin’!

EPISODE 4257 – FAILURE TO LAUNCH

Hubert the Human Cannonball is planning to fire himself five feet from his cannon into a bucket of blue jello, but his cannon goes kaput! Elmo, Telly, Chris and Baby Bear help find alternate means of getting him in the air. Telly uses a large catapult, but he goes a mere two feet. Elmo gets the Big Bad Wolf to huff and puff him away, but he goes one foot further. Baby Bear finally engineers a large rubber band from some smaller ones and sends him successfully into the bucket.

This was an all right season opener. I'm not sure what it was about it, but I didn't really do anything for me.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• James Marzden and Elmo show the word "engineer" by making a device that serves spaghetti, which lands on top of James. That's using your head!
• New Murray tune-ins debut. Instead of basically introducing everything, he and Ovejita visit the New York Hall of Science to learn what makes a rocket fly. Yeah, we're going to see this one repeated many times throughout the season, but it's certainly an improvement over the last ones.
• Film: Kids make an H from blocks, noting "H" is for helping.
• Abby's Flying Fairy School: The kids open Pandora's Lunchbox, unleashing her pesky food. Take note that their theme song has new music to it.
• Super Grover 2.0: A horse has a hard time getting his cart to move. Lots of great jokes in this one, especially when the chicken lays an egg.
• Elmo and a Justin Bieber-esque Muppet sing a song about measuring. I like it and I'm glad they went with a Muppet caricature like in the old days.

EPISODE 4258 – ROCCO'S BOAT

Baby David, Elmo's doll, is floating in his tub of water. Zoe comes by with Rocco, who wants to float too, but he sinks. At Leela's suggestion, Elmo swallows his pride and helps experiment and find something to get him to float.

The interaction between Elmo, Zoe, and Rocco was super funny in this one. Plus, "Rocco’s Boat" is a catchy song.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Craig Ferguson and Elmo conduct an experiment involving chickens. A great line comes from Craig when the giant chicken appears.
• Today, Murray and the kids experiment with cars. I kind of wish Ovejita was more involved in this though.
• Cartoon: A dancing robot shows some J words.
• Abby's Flying Fairy School: Abby makes her hero, Super Fairy, appear in the classroom. She constantly knocks down Blögg and Gonnigan's tower, trying to find out why they don't like her. A great pro-social message in this one.
• Cartoon: A song about counting 12 chicks. I'm surprised they made another segment about 12, since they had two new ones last year. Despite that, I enjoyed this one very much.
• "Heaviest Catch" parody of The Deadliest Catch. With Frank Oz performing the Captain, you can't go wrong!

EPISODE 4259 – THE BUBBLE FEST

Alan and Chris are hosting the first-ever Bubble Fest, a day of blowing bubbles. While Elmo and Abby partake in the various activities, Telly tries various ways to blow a bubble.

A little bland for a street story. And how many people where Chris and Alan expecting to attend? Only Abby, Elmo, Telly and three kids were there.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• George Lopez, Abby and Elmo demonstrate what a liquid is.
• Today, Murray and friends experiment with bubbles.
• Abby's Flying Fairy School: Today is B day and Abby has let loose Little Bunny Foo-Foo, who jumps on their heads and they turn each other into goons. Several good jokes in this one; I myself liked the puns on "goon."
• Super Grover 2.0 aids a chicken get to the other side of the "Pretty Good Wall of China." It's not new, but it's my favorite one, so I'm glad to see it again.
• Jay Sean sings a song about Super Grover 2.0 and the idea of problem solving. To me, rap isn't the best method for teaching. I don't think the kids would be able to follow the lesson when it's being sung at such a fast pace.

EPISODES 4260 – OBSERVE, RECORD, ANNOY

Oscar is taking an online night course in Groucholohy. Professor Messla (played by Jason Jones) has him perform some Grouch experiments, all while annoying anyone nearby. During his study, Oscar is able to bother Alan, Gina, Leela, Maria and Luis, all in the name of Grouch science!

Definitely my favorite of the week. Oscar is my favorite character and I loved his antics. I also really enjoyed Jason Jones in this.


New Segments and Other Highlights:

• Jeffery O’Donahue observes a pie Murray has baked... with pepper instead of sugar.
• Murray learns how to make an umbrella using various materials. I like the fact that these tune-ins have a plot now, but I don't think they get any closure.
• The hilarious parody of Glee, G. Needless to say, it's pitch-perfect (a little music humor there!)
• Abby's Flying Fairy School: It's picture day and Gonnigan's hair is in no shape to be in a photo. Abby uses Rapunzel Hair Gel, which makes it grow out of control.
• Super Grover 2.0: A mouse waiter can't get his customer his cheese because the door shuts. It's sort-of like a Super Grover meets Waiter Grover sketch. I also like the fact that there was a set for this one, and only a partially CGI background.

EPISODE 4261 – THE SHAPE-O-BOTS

Elmo, Telly and Rosita are playing the Shape-O-Bots, robots who can actually transform into shapes when needed. Andy Samberg appears as three "different" people, each needing a shape for a ridiculous reason.

I like the Transformers parody they did here. I also liked Andy's dancing during the Shape-O-Bots theme and the (horrible) playing card puns when the King and Queen of Diamonds appear.

New Segments and Other Highlights:

• What does transform mean? Well, The Big Bang Theory's Johnny Galecki and Abby try to show you using magic.
• Today's Murray experiment involves making bridges.
• Cartoon: A page announces the upcoming presence of Queen Quagmire, but is interrupted by a duck. From 2004, this is one of my favorite modern Sesame cartoons.
• Abby's Flying Fairy School: Blogg's favorite dirty sock gets into some magic mud, causing it come alive and wreak havoc and spread filth.
• Super Grover 2.0 helps a starfish find her missing engagement ring in the sand. I'm liking these new sketches, but I don't think it's wise that they're exhausting them at the start of the season, considering they made so few of them.
• The Two-Headed Monster learns what a rectangle is with the help of Chris. I'm so glad these guys have officially made a comeback. You may notice there's a new puppet of them, with some slightly shaggier hair.

So, that ends the first week. It's pretty good. So far, I'm only concerned with the lack of inserts in each show. Hopefully, we'll see some more in the coming weeks. Until next week!

The Muppet Mindset by Ryan Dosier, ryguy102390@gmail.com